MAKING HOME WORK: THEATRE-MAKING WITH OLDER ADULTS IN RESIDENTIAL CARE (original) (raw)

Abstract

The paper reflects on the significance of artistic practice with older adults in residential care settings, asking what 'home' means to residents living with dementia. To consider how cultural stereotypes of ageing as narratives of loss and decline might be challenged, this paper draws on a recent production On Ageing that was staged at the Young Vic Theatre in London. This play dramatised gerontologist Tom Kirkwood's view that ageing is not a process of deterioration but accumulation, which determines how the body ages physically. Socially, we also accumulate 'stuff' as we grow older and home is often defined by the emotional significance of possessions. So what happens when, in old age, people's physical space shrinks?.The research draws on the principles of person-centred care and non-humanist theories of materiality to debate how home is constructed through the imagination and in the material, spatial and temporal practices of everyday life. In considering how and why creative activity with older adults can help to change a residential care home from an institution to a domestic space, it suggests that the arts have a significant role to play in end of life care.

Key takeaways

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  1. The paper emphasizes the role of arts in redefining 'home' for older adults with dementia.
  2. Person-centred care, introduced by Tom Kitwood, acknowledges social relationships' significance in dementia.
  3. Theatre-making can challenge cultural stereotypes of ageing as loss and decline.
  4. Kirkwood's theory of ageing as accumulation reshapes understanding of physical and emotional spaces.
  5. Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances care by integrating diverse perspectives and knowledge.

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References (28)

  1. Works Cited Andrews, G. A. (2005). Foreward. In M.J. Johnson (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion of Age and Ageing Cambridge University Press.
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FAQs

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What implications does Lyotard's perspective have for theatre-making in residential care?add

The research shows that Lyotard's ideas challenge conventional knowledge boundaries, suggesting that subjective artistic interpretations can be as valuable as empirical scientific knowledge in residential care settings.

How does person-centred care transform narratives of dementia in arts practices?add

Person-centred care redefines dementia as a complex interplay of relationships rather than mere decline, allowing artists to craft more nuanced, empathetic representations in theatre.

What role does reminiscence play in affirming identity for older adults with dementia?add

The findings indicate that guided reminiscence fosters continuity of self, enabling individuals to navigate new environments while recalling significant past life experiences.

How can the metaphor of accumulation reshape perceptions of ageing in artistic contexts?add

Accumulation as a conceptual framework illustrates ageing as a layered experience enriched by memories and interactions, challenging negative stereotypes in artistic representations.

What challenges exist in performing memory through naturalistic theatre with older adults?add

The study reveals that naturalistic theatre may oversimplify the rich, fragmented nature of memories in older adults, potentially diminishing their emotional and metaphorical depth.

Last updatedOctober 11, 2025